121109-F-CJ989-003

by SSgt Kenneth Holston

121109-F-CJ989-003

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons move rapidly as fuels operators and crew chiefs execute a technique called hot pit refueling, Nov. 9, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots right back into the fight. Airmen assigned to the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron practice this technique to keep their skills sharp and aid in the effort to provide combat ready air power at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Photographer's Narrative

 

Any night time operations that take place around F-16 fighter jets can be tricky and sometimes lethal if mistakes are made. This is especially true when conducting hot pit refueling. There are several moving parts and numerous things happening simultaneously in order for each aircraft to be refueled as quickly as possible and launched back into combat. As I took photos of this process, I strived to show exactly that, a fast pace environment with zero room for error as jets move in and out of the pits hastily.